Summer Food

In the last 12 months, my tastes have changed a lot. I rarely ate fish, chocolate was a daily staple, and I’d laugh at thinking I could crave vegetables.

But here I am, changed tastes and all. And because of this, I’ve hit a huge dietary brick-wall. My diet consisted mainly of comfort food. Hearty, wholesome, and most definitely meant for the winter.

In the hot weather we’ve had since last week, nothing in me has craved my usual staples. My mind has turned to “summer food” – and about 90% of my repetoire feels absolutely useless.

I am scouring my books and magazines for summer inspiration that isn’t barbeque. As much as I love barbeques, they are hardly every-day food. Light, uncloying is the order of the day. At least my salmon is still lovely – if not better – eaten on hot days.

Ice cream is now permanently in my freezer, and ice cream sauce is waiting to partner it in my storecupboard. Alongside it, the ever versatile chicken, in breasts, diced and legs, for however tickles my fancy. Salad is also starting to look ever more attractive, although is impossible to have in the fridge (there is no space left for me in the salad draws). So, to avoid this, I’ve bags of frozen stir-fry vegetables in the freezer for when necessary.

So, my search brings me to a number of recipes to try:
Thai chicken with lime
Pasta with spinach sauce
Salmon rocket pasta
Bulgar wheat salad – made with veg not leaves
Stuffed chicken
Skewered chicken with dressing
Crispy spicy meat

That should be ok to be getting on with. Can’t wait to be trying out these things, as well as sampling some of the more summery offerings from the supermarkets (more Basics coming soon). Photos have been uploaded on earlier posts – the student meal planning posts